Best Tretinoin Alternatives
Can't get tretinoin? These 5 OTC alternatives deliver 70-90% of the effect.
Our #1 pick
Differin
Adapalene Gel 0.1%
The #1 OTC tretinoin alternative
Check price on Amazon →Heads up: this post has affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you buy something, at no extra cost to you. We only link to stuff we'd actually tell a friend about. Prices shown are approximate and change often; check the retailer for current pricing.
Quick answer: tretinoin alternatives
- Best overall: Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1%
- Lowest price tier: The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% (Under $25)
- Splurge: Murad Retinal ReSculpt Overnight (Under $150)
Differin (adapalene 0.1%) is the only OTC retinoid FDA-approved at prescription strength. For stronger OTC, retinaldehyde (Murad) is one conversion step from tretinoin.
| # | Product | Price tier | Why it made the list |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DifferinAdapalene Gel 0.1% | Under $25 | The #1 OTC tretinoin alternative |
| 2 | SkinMedicaRetinol Complex 1.0 | Under $100 | Pharma-grade retinol |
| 3 | MuradRetinal ReSculpt Overnight | Under $150 | Retinaldehyde closest to tretinoin |
| 4 | CeraVeResurfacing Retinol Serum | Under $25 | Budget encapsulated retinol |
| 5 | The OrdinaryGranactive Retinoid 2% | Under $25 | Gentle retinoid ester |
Our top 5 picks
More on tretinoin alternatives
Frequently asked
Is Differin as good as tretinoin? +
For acne, clinically equivalent. For anti-aging, about 80-90% of tretinoin.
What is the best tretinoin alternatives? +
Our top pick for tretinoin alternatives is Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1%. The #1 OTC tretinoin alternative. The runner-up is SkinMedica Retinol Complex 1.0.
How much should I spend on tretinoin alternatives? +
The 5 picks here run from the Under $25 tier (The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2%) up to the Under $150 tier (Murad Retinal ReSculpt Overnight). The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% is the lowest-cost way in, and Murad Retinal ReSculpt Overnight is the splurge.
Premium Beauty
More Premium Beauty picks
If money isn't the object, these are our Premium Beauty favorites site-wide.
CurrentBody
Under $500Skin LED Light Therapy Mask Series 2
236 LEDs. Red 633nm + NIR 830nm. Flexible fit.
Buy on Amazon →Dr. Dennis Gross
Under $500DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro
Rigid shell. 100 red + 62 blue LEDs. Sephora's bestseller.
Buy on Amazon →Omnilux
Under $500Men LED Face Mask
Omnilux's in-stock flexible LED face mask (the Contour Face is out of stock on Amazon).
Buy on Amazon →Therabody
Under $500TheraFace PRO
Microcurrent, red light and percussive therapy in one handheld. Replaces three single-purpose gadgets.
Buy on Amazon →Therabody
Under $500TheraFace PRO
Red light + microcurrent + percussive + cleansing. Sci-fi gadget.
Buy on Amazon →Augustinus Bader
Under $500The Cream
TFC8 tech. The one celebrities keep talking about.
Buy on Amazon →